(670 The Score) On March 10, 2023, the Bears traded the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for receiver DJ Moore, the No. 9 and No. 61 overall picks in 2023, a 2025 second-round pick and — most importantly — a 2024 first-round pick, which ultimately became the No. 1 overall selection.
With that franchise-altering trade, Bears general manager Ryan Poles earned the trust and goodwill of fans. More importantly, Poles provided the city of Chicago with real hope.
Hope that competence can finally be found in a place with a rich history of incompetence. Hope that the Bears' front office might actually have someone smart in a leadership position.
While Chicago sports fans have been burned and charred by the idea of hope countless times by every team in town for decades and decades, a trade of that magnitude justifiably allowed the city to collectively get high on hopium.
Amid the Bears' struggles since Poles arrived in 2022, the blame game has been directed at nearly everyone but him, as if that trade gave him an impenetrable shield from any criticism. For every bad move he has made, Poles was seemingly absolved of any blame for a long time.
I mean, how can you criticize someone who executed one of the greatest trades in NFL history? It might even be one of the greatest trades in the history of trading, which began 100,000 years ago, according to Wikipedia.
However, Poles has been cashing checks on the goodwill of that blockbuster trade far longer than he deserves to. Calling this Bears season a disaster is an understatement, and every bit of blame has breadcrumbs tracing back decisions made by Poles.
Let’s start with recently fired head coach Matt Eberflus. Was it a mistake to hire him in the first place? Duh. But that mistake would’ve been excused if Poles cut bait after Eberflus’ second season in Chicago.
However, he didn’t cut bait. Instead, Poles chose a path that included hiring (and firing) offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, watching a second-string center fumble on the goal line, watching Eberflus fail to call a timeout before the “Fail Mary” while cornerback Tyrique Stevenson threw himself a party in the end zone, having the locker room create a mini-mutiny, getting blown out by the Patriots and Cardinals, not running a play before a blocked field goal in a loss against the Packers and witnessing Eberflus deliver his magnum opus of clock mismanagement to end the loss to the Lions on Thanksgiving.
The most damning part is that Poles handed Eberflus the keys to another franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams after he failed – and potentially ruined – Justin Fields.
Bringing back Eberflus when his red flags – and his misuse of them – were obvious to the entire world should be a fireable offense. Whatever goodwill Poles earned from the trade with the Panthers went out the same door that Eberflus did.
How can you trust Poles to hire another head coach after that? What evidence do you have that he'll get it right this time?
Now, let’s talk about the roster he has assembled. How is it possible that the former offensive lineman has swung and missed on the position he should know the best? Poles looked the city of Chicago directly in the eyes and expressed confidence in his offensive line before the season.
“We have more versatility, more depth,” Poles said. “Shoot, we have 10 guys, so I feel comfortable. Obviously, you want your starting five to be healthy and ready to go, but I feel more confident in the depth of our offensive line than I ever have before.”
Ask Williams – who has been sacked an NFL-high 56 times this season – if he agrees with Poles' assessment.
And even though right tackle Darnell Wright is looking like a fine piece, Poles still made the mistake of drafting him when dominant defensive tackle Jalen Carter was right there.
Do I even need to bring up Poles signing guard Nate Davis to a three-year, $30-million contract in 2023?
Poles traded edge rusher Khalil Mack and linebacker Roquan Smith while also letting running back David Montgomery walk out the door, just for him to join a team – in your own division – that may win a Super Bowl in part because of him.
Poles also traded a second-round pick for receiver Chase Claypool in 2022. If you haven’t been keeping tabs lately on Claypool, he’s not only out of the NFL – he’s also not even playing in the Canadian Football League anymore.
Poles has also dished out bad contracts to linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and tight end Cole Kmet. Actually, signing Kmet to a four-year, $50-million deal wasn’t the mistake. The error has been how the Bears have used him.
Speaking of poorly used Bears tight ends, remember when the Bears signed Gerald Everett? Williams doesn’t. Everett has only seven receptions for 30 yards this season and hasn’t been targeted since Nov. 3.
Poles can no longer hide behind the success of his historic trade anymore. The tally of moves showcasing poor judgement and evaluation – at all levels – is enough evidence to prove you shouldn’t trust this man with your football team anymore.
With that one trade, Poles brought hope to Chicago. But if you do have any hope left at this point, it should be that Bears ownership gets rid of Poles before he makes any more moves of consequence.
Robbie Triano is a producer at 670 The Score. Follow him on X @TheTrianoKid.